car feels like it shuts off for a split second occasionally

[shoddywood]

for the past couple days at pretty much the same stoplight everyday my car will feel like it shuts off for a split second.this happens randomly and only when at a complete stop.it also feels a bit rough when at a stop but i put this down to a motor mount needing replacing.the car doesnt stall,its just scary as it feels it might. once i start moving the car is fine.

i forgot to add the car is bone stock and is an automatic.

 

[my_gst95]

Need a bit more information to help you out. Does the car just randomly shut off, or when you cruise to a stop, does it sputter and die? What about your gauges and interior lights? Does your gauge cluster stop working and all your lights shut off when it feels like its going to die?

my_gst95

 

[johnk]

Any clicking from the center dash area and it would be the ECU.

 

[shoddywood]

sorry for the rather oddly worded post,i had to run out of the office.

the thing is it doesnt actually shut off it just sounds and feels like what would happen if i could turn the key to off then back on in the matter of less than a second if that makes any sense.the car usually idles at about 800-1000,but when this sitaution happens it drops down to about 500 the it bounces back to 700ish. i have no dimming of the gauge lights and none of the warning lights come on.and if the clicking from the ecu sounds the same as when an altanator is about to crap out im not experiancing that either.(i learned of that recently when my car died in the middle of nw 27th ave and a 103rd st).i replaced my plugs and wires last april as well.so far the problem is so intermittant i am not too worried,but i don want a small problem to turn into a big one.

 

[my_gst95]

Yeah intermitant problems like that are usually electrical based (doubtful of a motor mount). If your car dies only on deceleration or when your about to come to a stop, it could be the TPS (throttle position sensor) or ISC (idle speed controler). You can test the ISC with a voltameter and compare resistance numbers to a chilton.

my_gst95

 

[shoddywood]

ill check those out this evening when i get home.thanks a bundle.

 

[missouri_dsm]

try cleaning the carbon out of your throttle body with carb cleaner.

 

[shoddywood]

ill give that a go too,im sure it hasnt been cleaned in 14 years

 

[johnk]

The clicking sound would be coming from one of the relays under the dash. If you've ever stayed in your car after you shut it off about 5-10 seconds after you turn the ignition off you will hear the sound. Other symptoms for a bad ECU are fish smell from the dash sometimes and leaking capacitors inside the ECU case.

Mine started by dying completely and wouldn't start again for an hour or so then it changed over to random quick on/off cycle will driving.

 

[shoddywood]

in usual form the mention of this problem here has caused the problem to dissapear.the car ran like a top all weekend.i went through the things mentioned here anyway and everything checked out fine.i

ive heard of the bad fish smell and near soiled myself once while parked at a light where someone had discarded some fish carcasses.this is a big fear of mine and i always have the sniffer on high gaurd.

 

[menaboy64]

Mine does sort of the same thing. When idle for awhile I found that when the cooling fan turns on it tries to, and sometimes does, stall. It happens when I'm in drive thru's or at a red light too long. Car runs awesome besides that, mileage is a tad low but nothing horrible. ECU is fine, recently replaced plugs, wires, battery, alternator, belts. Everything is in great shape. No problems when coming to a stop or constant driving, only when idle for a bit. Also if I turn on the ac, but get this, I don't have ac! I removed the entire system, from fan to lines to compressor, everything. I can turn on the blower but once I hit that button on the dash, it dies. Hitting that button makes the fan turn on. I don't get it, car idles normal, only dies when fan engages while idling. I baby this car, everything is clean as a whistle, no leaks of any kind, vaccuum or fluid. Would really like some advice. I even upgraded all engine grounds and inspected all wiring and relays to no avail.

 

[shoddywood]

actually i think that just helped me realize my problem's actual cause.mine was nothing more than the fans coming on.im an idiot.i wasnt used to the feeling of it turning on since ive ran without a thermostat for a so long.though i dare not turn the a/c on,the car will shake the fillings out of your teeth